In Vivo Measurement of Cortical Anisotropy by Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Correlates with Cortex Type

Alfred Anwander¹, Andr Pampel¹, Thomas R. Knsche¹

High resolution diffusion-weighted imaging in conjunction with highly sensitive phase array acquisition coils can identify different anisotropic orientation depending on the cortex type. Motor cortex shows radial anisotropy while primary somatosensory cortex shows tangential anisotropy. This might relate to a strong wiring between neighboring cortical areas.